National council for transgender persons

Functions of the Council:

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has constituted the National Council for Transgender Persons, a requirement under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

The functions of the council include advising the Center on formulation of policies, programmes, legislation and projects; monitoring and evaluating the same for achieving equality and full participation. Some other functions of the council are reviewing and coordinating the activities of government and other governmental and non governmental organizations dealing with matters relating to transgender persons, to redress their grievances and to perform other functions prescribed by the Centre.

Members of the Council: 

The Council will have Five representatives from the community members, Five States and 10 Central Departments. The Union Minister of Social Justice would be the Chairperson of the Council, while the vice chairperson will be the junior minister in the ministry and members would include officials of the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, Minority Affairs, Human Resources Development, Rural Development and Labour and Employment, the Department of Legal Affairs, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare and NITI Aayog. 

Statement of the Community Members:

Terming the constitution of the council, Laxmi said that the council would work with States to ensure that transgender welfare boards are set up in all States and essential needs of the community, like housing, food, health care and education are met. Another member of the community, Meera Parida representing the east region in the council stated that, they will probably be tasked with identifying issues faced by the community members and advising the government on it. 

What do you think about the council established? According to you what other matters should the council look into?
Let us know in the comment section below!